Florio: Torres got what he deserved

Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres received his just deserts on Friday evening for taking advantage of taxpayers, said Charles Florio, developer who can be credited for the three-term mayor’s downfall.

“He deserved it. This is what was caught. Think about all the stuff he was probably doing and didn’t get caught,” said Florio on Saturday morning. Torres has taken a guilty plea that requires him to step down, pay restitution, and serve fire years in prison.

Florio hired private investigator Harry Melber to follow the mayor around. From July 2014 and April 2015, Torres had public works supervisors — Joseph Mania, 51, of Randolph; Imad Mowaswes, 53, of Clifton; Timothy Hanlon, 31, of Woodland Park – perform renovation work at the warehouse at, 82 East 15th Street in Paterson, which was leased by his daughter Clarissa Torres and nephew Manuel Torres.

The Torres family wanted to open a beer distribution facility at the location. They failed to secure the needed permits and license from the state and ended up terminating the lease.

Melber captured public works employees working at the facility while in uniform and using municipal trucks. The footage aired on NBC New York and ultimately resulted in the indictment of the three public works supervisors and the mayor.

“Everybody knew what this guy was doing. This wasn’t shocking. I hired a private investigator and brought it to light. Everybody knew this guy was dirty,” said Florio.

When asked if he thought he performed a public service by putting away a corrupt mayor, Florio replied, “Absolutely.” Indeed, without the developer, Torres would remain in power. He continues to hold the mayor’s seat; a judge will rule when Torres will forfeit his office on Monday morning.

Torres led people to believe he was innocent and that he would be proven innocent in court. He used this line to raise money for his legal defense fund. After the court proceeding on Friday, Torres issued an apology.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my most sincere apologies to the citizens of the great City of Paterson, for the serious offense I have committed. I take full responsibility for them, my actions and lack of judgement.”

“He’s not sorry. He’s sorry that he got caught,” said Florio. He said Torres had municipal employees singling out and targeting certain individuals. Torres eventually targeted the wrong person.

Torres spent 30 years in public service. He served 11 years as mayor.

Torres’ seat will be filled temporarily by council president Ruby Cotton until the council selects an interim mayor. Council members reacted to the news of the mayor’s guilty plea on Friday evening and on Saturday morning.

“I pray that his family gets through it,” said Kenneth Morris, councilman at-large, one of the longest serving members on the council, on Friday evening.

“This is a sad chapter in our city’s history but we must turn the page and focus on Paterson’s future progress,” said Andre Sayegh, 6th Ward councilman, a bitter rival of the mayor’s.

“I think justice was served for the taxpayers of Paterson,” said Luis Velez, 5th Ward councilman, on Saturday morning.

“It’s another black eye for the city,” said Michael Jackson, 1st Ward councilman. “I’m happy it has finally come to a close.”

Torres was a towering figure in the city’s political landscape. A Puerto Rican, Torres made history when he became mayor in 2002 — the first Hispanic mayor of Paterson. He succeeded Martin G. Barnes who was convicted for taking bribes.

“This is a very difficult time for the city. I pray for his family and I pray for him,” said Alex Mendez, councilman at-large. Torres family benefited from his corruption, said prosecutors during the court hearing.

The council can call for an emergency meeting to select an interim mayor to fill the seat once it is vacated, said Morris. He was thinking ahead of many of his colleagues and had the city’s attorneys prepare a resolution to appoint an interim mayor.

Morris said the resolution does not have a name. His colleagues will have to figure out who to make interim mayor. He hopes council members will pick someone with considerable experience and municipal know-how.

When asked if he was interested in serving as interim mayor, Morris replied in the negative. He is the second most experienced member of the council after William McKoy of 3rd Ward.

Sayegh and Mendez are uninterested in serving as interim mayor. Sayegh said Cotton has his full backing to serve as interim mayor.

Velez and Jackson expressed interest in becoming interim mayor. Velez said if his colleagues cannot settle on a name and there’s a fight he would be willing to serve as interim mayor.

Jackson, who announced his run for mayor earlier in the month, said he has the experience needed to be interim mayor.

Velez took office less than two years ago. “You had people who had experience making the worst mistakes,” he said when told of his short time in office.

Regardless of who becomes mayor Torres’ story should serve as a cautionary tale for whomever fills the seat in the future and for government employees.

“I hope it sends a clear message to the rest of the department heads and supervisors that were involved with it if this could happen to him this could happen to them,” said Florio.

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Sayegh is Florio's boy. Florio was fine with Joey when he was helping him snap up properties for pennies and ripping the city off. We'll be reading about Andre going to prison in about ten years if he doesn't do exsactyl as told by his owner.

Unc

I love the guy, He did me a big favor, I owe Him One!!!

Dominick Perez

Joey is crooked as a three dollar bill, he started out selling coke out of his bodega, his family still deals out of their liquor stores in Paterson, but Florio didn't invest $500K to take him down out of the good of his heart. Sayegh will ensure he makes it back ten times over plus interest once he's Mayor. He is a puppet, Florio has his hand lodged firmly up his a$$.

Unc

Joey screwed Me and My family over, lied to the state about me. I hope the asshole dies in jail when the brothers find out he fired a lot of brothers on the fire department.

Dominick Perez

Florio knew Torres was crooked, yet dealt with him for years… It wasn't until Joey screwed him that he found his conscience. Give me a damn break.

Nellieeee

Florio is a crooked too. He did this because mayor Torres didn't do anything for him.. Florio is a slumlord. Who quick to EVICT his tenants OUT of lies. HE DONT FIX NOTHING. FLORIO IS A MONEY HUNGRY SLUMLORD. FLORIO UP NEXT. THOSE SECURITY GUARDS are a waste of our time.

Rupert Bodkins

Cleaning out all the corrupt officials in Paterson-well one can dream. If even half of this system is busted open maybe some poor honest officials can partner with some honest businesspeople and completely restore Paterson to the beautiful city it could be-a jewel in the Garrett mountains. Well I can dream can't I?